NEW YORK (Jan. 8, 2013) – What does Ted Ligety, the most dynamic giant slalom skier in the world, do in the 36 hours leading up to one of the most prestigious Audi FIS Alpine World Cup races of the season? On Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC will take you deep into the Italian Dolomites for the debut broadcast of U.S. Ski Team 36, an exclusive personal ride along with the Olympic gold medalist and World Champion during the critical hours prior to the storied giant slalom in Alta Badia.

This in-depth, personal perspective will take fans over the famed Gardena Pass and along the legendary Sella Ronda with Ligety and the U.S. Ski Team. Viewers will warm up, ride the lift and go under the helmet to see the complete physical and mental preparation through the eyes of a champion. Success cannot be measured in the two minutes it takes to compete. It's measured in the hours, minutes and final seconds it takes to know you can win.

Produced by the U.S. Ski Team for NBC, it’s the first foray for the Team into original programming. "U.S. Ski Team 36 is a great way to show the intensity of competition at this level and to expose great athletes like Ted Ligety on national television,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet. "The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup has amazing storylines and history at every stop. Our producers captured this very well. If we can key American audiences in to this, the excitement and interest in the overall product will increase and benefit us all."

U.S. Ski Team 36 will debut Sunday on NBC, with additional re-airs to be scheduled on NBC Sports Network. Other "36" programming partners with NBC have been Major League Baseball, the National Football League, Major League Soccer and IndyCar. The U.S. Ski Team is the first non-traditional sport to be included in the series. U.S. Ski Team 36 was a joint effort with USSA and NBC and sets up the potential to develop additional episodes with other USSA superstars.

DETAILS

Program: U.S. Ski Team 36

Content: NBC follows Olympic champion Ted Ligety in the 36 hours leading up to one of the most important Audi FIS World Cups of the year in Alta Badia, in the heart of the Italian Dolomites.